Kevin Hart is out as host of the 2019 Oscars. (Frederic J. Brown / AFP/Getty Images)

Hollywood’s reaction to Kevin Hart’s old homophobic tweets and his subsequent decision to bail on hosting the Oscars ran the full spectrum of emotions since the news broke late Thursday night. Some deemed his behavior unacceptable, while others called for his ouster, and some expressed concern that all they had wanted was an apology, not for him to quit.

The comic, who was named the 2019 Academy Awards host only Tuesday and took down a number of old tweets immediately after getting the job, pulled out Thurdsay rather than apologize again, saying that he’d moved on and wouldn’t bow to internet trolls.

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He later apologized for his “insensitive words” from the past and said he had stepped down so as not to be a distraction from the awards.

“I'm sorry that I hurt people. I am evolving and want to continue to do so. My goal is to bring people together not tear us apart,” Hart tweeted late Thursday.

Here is a sampling of chatter from social media in reaction to the controversy.

I’m no saint. We just wanted a little understanding, a little explanation. Apologies are tough - they leave you vulnerable. Toxic masculinity is real. I deal with it in my own way too. So on that note, I appreciate @KevinHart4real apologizing. And apology accepted. That’s all.

Just to be clear to all the comedy fans who think people are being too sensitive around this Kevin Hart thing: there’s a difference between being offended by a joke and knowing that joke is perpetuating violence against a community, specifically gay youth. Learn the difference.

How was Kevin Hart supposed to know that gay people are human beings who deserve respect in the year 2010?! LGBTQ equality was a foreign concept that hadn’t even been spoken of yet! I was still sharing a jail cell with Oscar Wilde back then!

don't get me wrong. nobody is perfect. but when your imperfections harm, support harm or silence people who are hurt by your harm or representation you do not get to brand yourself as a genuine or positive person. Positivity creates space, his humble empathetic & listens